The Contract Wife Tries to Leave - Chapter 48
“Wait a moment.”
Leonid quickly stopped the employee from clearing away the jewelry that hadn’t been selected. A subtle smile appeared on his previously impassive face. It had happened ever since he noticed Johanna’s aunt.
He picked up a platinum necklace and held it up to Johanna’s neck. The cold metal brushed against her skin, making her flinch involuntarily. The man was pretending to be affectionate. It was undoubtedly a performance meant for those who kept sneaking glances at them.
“It looks good on you.”
“…”
His gaze was warm, like the sunshine on a bright Sunday morning. Suddenly, her heart raced so much that it took her breath away. Even though she knew it was all an act, her emotions kept betraying her reason.
“It matches your eye color.”
He was right. The gemstone on the platinum chain was a teal hue, the same color as Johanna’s eyes. The coordinator promptly explained that it was tourmaline.
“We’ll take this as well.”
“Yes, understood! Is there anything else you need?”
In response to the coordinator’s question, Leonid didn’t answer but instead gazed intently at Johanna. It was a silent question, asking if there was anything more she wanted. Johanna shook her head along with a brief reply that she was fine. Truly, if she received anything else, she felt she might suffocate.
“In that case…”
As the staff began to wrap up the teal tourmaline necklace, Leonid picked it up again. He stepped closer to Johanna and placed the necklace around her neck. His gloved fingers brushed her skin. Even that slight touch sent a shiver through her, as if something within her was malfunctioning.
“It suits you well.”
“…”
Leonid smiled slightly. It was a mischievous smile, pretending to be kind without really being so. He entered her heart, which was trying to stay closed, and left it in disarray…
With her head bowed low, Johanna fidgeted with the teardrop-shaped gemstone. The emotions she had been trying to suppress surged forward, shaking her heart.
* * *
Johanna’s aunt called out to her as she left the jewelry store. Anticipating that this might happen, Johanna turned to face her aunt without surprise, her expression impassive. Leonid gave them a brief glance, then released Johanna’s hand and said,
“I’ll be waiting in the carriage. Go ahead and have your talk.”
Aunt Clarisse watched Leonid walk away, and only when she thought he was far enough did she speak.
“What’s going on? The man you’re seeing is Marquis Neubitz? Surely… not, right?”
Knowing she had to be bold in situations like this, Johanna answered without hesitation.
“That’s right. I’m in a relationship with Marquis Neubitz.”
Her aunt’s face twisted as if she’d been hit by a bomb. Her eyes, filled with disbelief, wavered frantically. She kept glancing anxiously toward the carriage, licking her lips nervously before blinking repeatedly as she pressed further.
“That’s impossible. How did you manage that? Since when? It’s not just any noble—it’s Marquis Neubitz! The rightful heir to Duke Elderique! How could someone like you…”
“I manifested as a dominant Omega.”
“What…?”
“It hasn’t been long since I manifested, and I met the Marquis around that time too. I got caught up in some trouble, and he helped me out. That’s how we ended up here.”
The scenario she had prepared in her mind for such an occasion flowed out smoothly, without hesitation. Perhaps because her aunt was the one asking, she didn’t even feel a pang of guilt for lying.
“So, so it’s true? You really…?”
“We’re engaged.”
“What?!”
Her aunt nearly leapt back in shock, as if having a fit. She clutched her chest tightly as if her heart was pounding, and her lips trembled as she drew in a shaky breath. Shock, disbelief, astonishment, and confusion filled her eyes, all at once. Johanna looked at her with calculated indifference.
“You’re engaged…? To Marquis Neubitz?”
“We’re getting married soon.”
“…”
Her aunt’s eyes momentarily lost focus as she opened and closed her mouth in disbelief, as if confronted by an unimaginable reality. She muttered to herself in a daze.
“Could it be that’s why the investment funds… no, no.”
Aunt Clarisse shook her head vigorously, as if to clear her thoughts, then fixed her gaze on Johanna and asked,
“Have you ever mentioned anything about me or my husband to the Marquis?”
